Beefing up my resume for RN positions

**g.rod00** · 08-19-2011, 08:59 PM

since I have permanent residence ,I can work now. Well, maybe.
I have never had job before ,ever. I am a registered nursing school graduate, associate degree . I am working on getting my RN license,now that I can. I am thinking ahead and I feel not so confident about my resume. I want to begin applying ASAP from getting my license issued, how do I convince my future employer that I am who they want to hire ? Can anyone please, offer some advice ? thank you all in advanced !

**KCORREA** · 08-19-2011, 09:22 PM

Were you required to do clinicals as part of your degree?
What about any volunteer work? ...A lot of fresh graduates don't have work experience...maybe you can point out some interesting things you did in college or find a part-time job ( I know the pay is low but nursing homes, assisted living centers, etc. would be in the same "category") until your license comes through.
Good luck!

**Aramire1** · 08-19-2011, 09:42 PM

When I graduated nursing school I put all my clinical experience on my resume. I have a bachelors degree...so there were quite a few clincals that I listed but I thought it showed a good variety of all the things I had learned. Also, have you had any jobs in the medical field previously...nursing assistant or nurse intern perhaps? I had done an internship..so I also listed that on my resume. You can also list volunteer work you have done, organizations you are apart of (I was a member of the Student nurses association at my college), and also certifications you hold (such as CPR). On my resume I only had CPR as a certification, but now would be able to include other things like...STABLE, ACLS and NRP.
My resume was organzied like this:

Objective
Education
Clinical Experience
Work Experience
Volunteer Work
Organizations
Certifications
References

Hope that helps! Good luck to you!

---------- Post added at 03:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:37 PM ----------

I just wanted to add...I'm sure you are busy studying for the NCLEX liscensure exam and if you are having trouble I would recommend taking the Kaplan review course if it is offered in your area! I took it and it was well worth it! I don't remember how much the class costs, but if you don't pass the test they give you your money back! Along with the class they give you a book..a big thick book!...that has EVERYTHING you need to know for the test! They go thru the whole book in the class and highlight the important pieces. I didn't use anything else to study but that book! They also give you practice tests to take. And I passed the test the first time and I really think the Kaplan class was a big part of that!

**g.rod00** · 08-19-2011, 10:14 PM

Thanks Kcorrea: I did have to do many clinical hours , I am definitely adding that whole bit to count as experience. I did volunteer work way back , I'll see how that looks on my resume. I was looking into part-time jobs... but not really in the healthfield, I'm not interested in getting a CNA license ( although I did take a course for that, which I think I will add to my resume, didnt think about that before).Thanks !

Aramire1 : I have a resume that includes all my clinical hours as experience. I am also biligual ! yay ! But no definitely never had a job , I would have during all of school but couldnt work bc of my immigration status.
Most of the employers in my area are expecting at least some work experience in healthcare. 95% of my classmates were RN interns and most had secured job upon graduation because of it .

I have heard wonders about Kaplan's review course.I have 5 NCLEX study question books, Kaplan review is one of them.plus all my school books. I have read the whole entire review and I still feel extremely unprepared ! I know the review course is different though, I got a little sample from Kaplan at my school before I graduated. my only problem is no $$ , we are completely drained of savings with this immigration process. Thanks for your advice ! I was thinking about just applying at my local hospital bc I have that they will pay for the review course and NCLEX sitting fee. We shall see.

**mrs_salazar09** · 09-28-2011, 02:14 AM

Being bilingual is a huge plus! I'm a RN as well, and the hospital jobs are hard to come by in my area at least, so you need to make yourself stand out as others have said. I would suggest applying at your local hospital. They might let you work as a Graduate Nurse until you pass the NCLEX. Good luck to you! It is very stressful preparing for the NCLEX, but once it is over it will all be worth, kind of like this immigration stuff.

**g.rod00** · 10-23-2011, 04:26 AM

I just found out this morning that I passed the NCLEX - just bc I am awesome

Considering I graduated a year and half ago . Immigration has nothing on the NCLEX ,at least you have control of your destiny by studying.
I have definitely been putting in apps for hospitals in my area.It is not easy, sister ! They need to hire more with higher census time upon us . I am squeezing everything I can from being bilingual

**Ana** · 10-24-2011, 08:19 AM

congrats on passing! that's great! My daughter is an RN practitioner and my son just started nursing school. There is a huge shortage of nurses still and they are in high demand in the south. not sure where you live, but you should do well!